Four months after the brutal attack by the members of Hindutva militant group that resulted in the death of two Muslim men, Junaid and Nasir in Ghatmika village of Bharatpur district in Rajasthan, the families of the victims are still looking for justice and running pillar-to-post to get their demands met.
On 29 May, Hafiz Jabir, a family member of the deceased duo who has been actively voicing and demanding justice was arrested by Rajasthan Police on an accusation of attacking and attempting to murder police officers.
Pahadi Police has also filed a First Investigation Report against Jabir under several sections of the Indian Penal Code including 307 (Attempt to murder), 147(Rioting), 332 (Causing voluntary hurt), 353 (Attempt to deter public servant on duty), 336(Endanger Human Life), and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property.
As per the complaint filed by the Shivlahri, Station House Officer, Pahadi Police Station, apart from Jabir, 13 other family members including 9 men and 4 women are also booked by Police under several sections who allegedly tried to protest the arrest of Jabir.
13 members who are booked by police are, Khurshud, Jahid, Tahir, Kasam, Mohammad, Kheruna, Jaimuna, Sameena, Rahaman, Mubarik, Tahir, and two unidentified. All are the members of same family.
Muhammad, Jabir’s uncle said to Maktoob: “Most people were offering their Isha(evening prayers) when the police arrested him (Jabir) and we were told that they are detaining Jabir and he will be released later. He climbed the mobile network tower as a warning to demand justice, he climbed down when police came and then police arrested him.”
“Later police kept him in jail and slapped him with several charges including an attempt to murder, which is a pure lie and farce”, he added.
“Jabir and all of us are fighting for justice and our safe future but they are trying to scare us by imposing fake cases against us”, he added.
The family is yet to take any legal action and is expected to apply for Jabir’s bail, Muhammad told Maktoob.
Mukhtiyar Ahmed, a resident of a neighboring village and a chartered accountant, asserts that the police have been arresting individuals demanding justice in fabricated cases since the lynching of Junaid and Nasir. He further accuses Zahida Khan, a member of the Legislative Assembly from the Congress party, of pressuring the district administration to silence dissenters and using the police and law enforcement to suppress media attention and silence protestors.
He said: “Jabir is not the only arrest in an attempt to settle down the case, Attaullah Khan, Sarpanch, Ghatmika village, Wasim Akram Tyagi, a local journalist, and Kamil Mungaska were also arrested in a fake and fabricated case as they actively participated and demanded justice for Junaid Nasir.
So far, only three out of 11 accused have been arrested and the state government of Rajasthan also failed to provide the promised monetary compensation to the families of the family of the deceased.
The lack of progress in arresting the perpetrators, adds to the frustration and anguish experienced by the victims’ families.
Deceased Nasir’s brother Hamid said: “Jabir was the only one who was voicing on our behalf without being deterred and now he has been arrested and this is how the matter will be closed, we will never get justice.”
“Two of our brothers were lynched to death and now Jabir is in jail. The state government promised and announced the compensation of 15 lakh rupees to each family but we have only received 5 lakhs. The government betrayed us and now the police are threatening us”, Hamid told Maktoob.
A delegation of Fraternity Movement led by the organization’s General secretary Lubaib Basheer along with Vice President Nujaim PK, National Executive Member Shahrukh Khan Shikhrawa, and their cadre in Mewat visited the families of Junaid-Nasir on Sunday, June 4.
While speaking with Maktoob, Bashir told:“Instead of arresting the perpetrators the police are apprehending family members of the victims and charging them with fabricated which is utterly unacceptable.”
The members of the Fraternity movement also discussed with Moulana Jamil Ahmed, an elderly resident of the village who has been standing alongside the family and helping them with the legal battle in their case.
Lubaib Basheer said: “The education and livelihoods of Junaid and Nasir’s children have been severely affected as they were the prime providers for their family. This incident highlights the systemic flaws in our justice system and the need for immediate intervention.”
“It is deeply concerning that Rajasthan government has failed to provide any kind of justice and assistance to the family. It is the responsibility of the Rajasthan government to swiftly address this matter and ensure that speedy justice is served”, he added.
The youth organization also calls upon the authorities to take immediate action and rectify the injustices faced by the families of Nasir and Junaid and arrest all individuals responsible for the incident, including those involved in the act of murder and conspiracy.
Nasir and Junaid, two Muslim men both residents of Ghatmika village, were traveling to their relative’s house when they were waylaid, brutally assaulted, and then charred to death inside the vehicle they were commuting in.
Moreover, Monu Manesar, a prime accused in the case and a member of Bajrang Dal, a Hindu militant group is still on the run and has not been arrested by the police.
Four days ago on June 1, #ArrestMonuManesar trended on Twitter demanding the arrest of the self-proclaimed cow protector who also enjoys impunity and state support.
